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Martinez injured for Bayern

Davis Van Opdorp (dpa)January 31, 2016

Bayern Munich are dealt another big injury blow in defense. Javi Martinez is set to miss more time with injury, leaving Bayern with one healthy central defender. Will Bayern swoop in the transfer window?

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Fussball Bundesliga Eintracht Frankfurt vs. FC Bayern München
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/M. Hangst

A week after Jerome Boateng injured his groin against Hamburg, Bayern Munich will have to do without Javi Martinez for a few weeks. The Spanish defender missed the defending champion's match against Hoffenheim on Sunday due to knee problems, reportedly complaining of an issue during the week.

Knee issues kept Martinez out until mid-September at the beginning of the season, but he has made 18 appearances in all competitions since then. After eclipsing 3,000 minutes in his first season in 2012/13, the 26-year-old Spaniard has just 3,560 minutes since.

Jerome Boateng also told Sky on Sunday he expects to be out for two to three months. The German defender told German sports magazine "kicker" last week he expects to be ready for the European Championships this summer. Speaking to Sky before Bayern's game against Hoffenheim on Sunday, Bayern's sporting director Matthias Sammer insisted the club will not complete any transfers before the January window closes on Monday.

Pep Guardiola adjusted his team Sunday by playing three defenders against Hoffenheim. Holger Badstuber, who has had two major ligament injuries in the last three and a half seasons, is Bayern's only healthy central defender. Against Hoffenheim, Badstuber was flanked by David Alaba and Joshua Kimmich in a back three - Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso were in holding midfield.